A fresh crisis has erupted within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following conflicting claims over the outcome of the party's primary election for the Oluyole Federal Constituency seat. The controversy intensified on Sunday as influential party leaders and stakeholders in Oluyole Local Government rejected reports that the incumbent lawmaker, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, emerged winner of a parallel primary election, insisting that the only recognised exercise produced Hon. Abiodun Gbolagade as the party's candidate.
Stakeholders Reject Parallel Primary
The dispute has further exposed growing divisions within the opposition party in Oyo State, raising concerns over a possible internal implosion ahead of the 2027 general elections. At a press briefing in Ibadan, APC stakeholders maintained that the officially recognised direct primary election was peacefully conducted across the 10 wards of Oluyole Federal Constituency under the supervision of security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to the party leaders, the exercise was transparent and orderly, with former Special Adviser to late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Hon. Gbolagade, polling 2,315 votes to emerge winner.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, APC chieftain Sir Lekan Adeyemo stated that the primary election complied with party guidelines and was monitored by security operatives and electoral officials across all wards. “The election was held peacefully in all the wards and monitored by relevant authorities. The results were signed by INEC representatives, the police, civil defence and other security agencies present,” he said. Adeyemo, however, dismissed reports of another primary election allegedly won by Akande-Sadipe, describing the exercise as lacking legitimacy. “We did not see them in the field. What we heard was that elections were conducted in houses of supporters across some wards. The only primary recognised by stakeholders was the one won by Hon. Gbolagade,” he added.
Leadership Vacuum Weakens Unity
The rival claims have heightened tension within the Oyo APC, with stakeholders accusing unnamed political interests of attempting to impose candidates and manipulate the nomination process. Although Akande-Sadipe's camp had earlier announced her emergence as the APC candidate following another primary reportedly monitored by party officials, leaders at Sunday's briefing insisted that no such recognised exercise took place within the constituency.
Former Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. James Adeleke, said the lingering leadership vacuum within the Oyo APC had continued to weaken internal unity since the death of former Governor Ajimobi. “In Oyo APC today, there is no rallying point or leader that can bring everyone together. Since the death of Ajimobi, the party has struggled with internal divisions,” Adeleke said. He warned that attempts to impose candidates against the wishes of party members could trigger fresh rebellion within the party and weaken its electoral chances. “If people lose fairly on the field, they will accept defeat. But when candidates are imposed, aggrieved members may work against the party,” he warned.
Adeleke also appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to intervene in the dispute and ensure that the outcome of the direct primary election was respected. Also speaking, former Chairman of Akorede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Adeniji Adesokan, insisted that voting only took place at statutory venues approved by the party. He disclosed that copies of the results had already been distributed to security agencies and forwarded to both the state and national leadership of the APC.
Legal Action Threatened
According to him, stakeholders loyal to the outcome of the exercise were prepared to seek legal redress if any attempt was made to overturn the results. “We have done what is expected of us. Any result contrary to what emerged from the field can be challenged legally. We will not allow our efforts to be wasted,” Adesokan stated.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the Oluyole primary coincided with fresh concerns over reports that an aspirant in the Oyo Central Senatorial race, Alhaji Wasiu Ademola, had allegedly been disqualified from participating in the party's primary election. Reacting to the reports, APC stakeholders denied claims that Ademola voluntarily stepped down from the race, insisting that any last-minute disqualification would amount to political injustice and further destabilise the party. The stakeholders accused some powerful interests within the APC of attempting to manipulate the primary process in favour of preferred aspirants, warning that continued internal interference and alleged imposition of candidates could damage the party's credibility and electoral fortunes in Oyo State.
